It’s a big summer in the world of international soccer. The Women’s World Cup will take place in France from June 7 to July 7, and if all goes right for the red, white, and blue, the United States will lift the World Cup for the second tournament in a row. On Thursday afternoon, the United States Women’s National Team announced the 23 players who will be tasked with trying to turn that dream into a reality.
The roster includes 12 players who were part of the squad that won the World Cup back in 2015, including eight women who took the pitch for the national team’s 5-2 win over Japan in the final: Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Tobin Heath, Ali Krieger, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Becky Sauerbrunn. Here’s how the entire roster breaks down.
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch, Ashlynn Harris, Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Allie Long, Samantha Mewis
Forwards: Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Jessica McDonald, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Mallory Pugh, Megan Rapinoe
Should the United States come out on top, it would mark the fourth time the nation has won the World Cup. The squad will take the pitch three more times in the United States in tune-up matches, taking on South Africa on May 12 in Santa Clara, New Zealand on May 16 in St. Louis, and Mexico on May 26 in Harrison, New Jersey. Once its send-off series comes to a conclusion, the USWNT will head to France to take on Thailand, Chile, and Sweden in group play on June 11, 16, and 20, respectively.
